News Releases

January 20, 2009

Gov. Nixon Announces Second Set of License Offices to be Put Up for Bid

JEFFERSON CITY – Gov. Jay Nixon’s plan to reform the way local motor vehicle and driver license offices are managed continued today with bids going out for the operation of a second group of six offices.

“Today’s action marks another step in fulfilling a promise made to the people of Missouri,” Gov. Nixon said. “I pledged to provide government services in the most fair and efficient way, and getting rid of the patronage system in the management of these local license offices helps accomplish that goal.”

The six contract offices are Lee’s Summit (Jackson County), South County (St. Louis County), Harvester (St. Charles County), Hannibal (Marion County), and North Kansas City and Gladstone (both in Clay County).

In the past, operation of the offices was largely given to agents based on their political support of the governor. Any qualified individuals and organizations will now be able to bid to manage the offices.

“There’s nothing in the bid proposal that asks whether you are a Democrat or Republican,” said Karen Mitchell, the designated director of the Missouri Department of Revenue. “We’re trying to get the most qualified people who will run the offices in the most efficient and courteous way.”

Potential bidders have five weeks to respond to the Request for Proposal (RFP). The Office of Administration and the Department of Revenue will be in charge of the bidding process and evaluation. A point scale will be used to evaluate bidders’ qualifications, office location sites, financial stability and plans for efficiency. Consideration is also given if a civic or non-profit organization applies, or if the applicant is a minority, woman or minority/woman-run organization.

Bids for offices in Columbia, Liberty, Mexico, Moberly, St. Charles and Springfield went out last week.

Copies of the RFPs may be obtained at https://www.moolb.mo.gov/. To review an RFP, select “Guest” on the home page, then click on “Open Bids by Agency,” then scroll through the list of bids until you locate the appropriate one. (Bid numbers are listed below.) Additional information regarding the bidding of license offices may be obtained at http://oa.mo.gov/purch/vendorinfo/DORoffices.pdf or by calling the Office of Administration at (573) 751-2387.